# The Weather Layer vs The Microcosmos

The clearest difference is update cadence: The Microcosmos at every 5 months against The Weather Layer's every 64 months. The Weather Layer's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.7). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

The Weather Layer ships an update every 64 months, The Microcosmos every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Weather Layer | The Microcosmos |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 64 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Size | 65 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.7 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Science Education Institute](https://appshunter.io/developer/1439710468) | [Koonkie Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1555431187) |

## What reviewers say

### The Weather Layer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-weather-layer/id1439731258)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### The Microcosmos

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-microcosmos/id1555443746)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Weather Layer free?

The Weather Layer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is The Microcosmos free?

The Microcosmos is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do The Weather Layer or The Microcosmos have ads?

Neither The Weather Layer nor The Microcosmos shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Weather Layer or The Microcosmos?

The Weather Layer ships an update every 64 months, and The Microcosmos every 5 months. Most recently, The Weather Layer was updated on November 2, 2026 and The Microcosmos on October 27, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*